‘Pattiseema’ Record Pattiseema Lift completed before time without enhancement of estimate

07-02-2018 10:28:00

‘Pattiseema’ Record Pattiseema Lift completed before time without enhancement of estimate

In India, there is not a single instance where an irrigation project was completed within the stipulated time period. In spite of theimplementation of five year plans along with programs like AIBP (Accelerated IrrigationBenefit Program), none of the projects were executed before the planned date of completion. Since the water is not reaching the farmlands on time, it has resulted in delayed receipt of benefits.

But Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was completed within the scheduled time, without Extention of time (EOT) and any enhancement / revised budgets. This is the only project completed with fixed time and agreement value in the country.

Generally the estimated costs have increased multifold and have become a burden to the government. Such illustrations can be quoted asexamples from our own Telugu speaking states. If we take the case of Polavaram project into review, tenders for works were called in 2004.As on date, apart from canal construction, not a single work related to the Main Reservoir except initial ground preparation, has been executed. Though it was taken up 12 years ago (in 2004) for 22 packages (canals and reservoir), with an estimated budget of Rs. 4474.35 crore, the works are still in the initial stage(apart from canals’ progress).

On March 2nd 2013, the government set increased the budget for the Main reservoir to Rs. 4054 crore. Though there was no construction related progress in works, the budget was again increased to Rs. 6961.70 crore. This implies that the budget for Lift completed before time without enhancement of estimate Polavaram project increased by Rs. 2908 crore in a span of 3 years.

Success Story of Pattiseema

According to 2010-11 estimates, the project budget was increased to Rs. 16010 crore. Compared to 2004, although none of the works were executed, the budget increased by almost Rs. 12000 crore. Till now, Rs. 2277 crore have been spent on the project in the last 12 years. But the project has not yielded any benefits till date and it does not show any signs of progress.

The same is the case with Galeru-Nagiri project. In 2004, a budget of Rs. 2979.90 crore was set aside for the project constituting 13 packages, and as of last year,Rs. 4018.82 crore was spent. But the project is yet to be completed. A similar amount (as was spent till last year) is required now to complete the project.

Another case in point is the famous Handri-Niva lift irrigation project which was started in 2005. The first phase of the project was planned with a budget of Rs. 2774 crore and the second phase with Rs. 4076 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 7270.54 crore has been spent on the project as on 2016 February. The first phase of the project was inaugurated in 2012 and the water was released. To complete this project, the government will have to spend Rs. 7000 crore more.

Based on these examples, we can see that there were setbacks in project execution along with increased budgets. As a result, the government is giving extensions to the contractors for project execution. It is an additional burden on the government due to inflated prices and the devaluated rupee value.

On the contrary to these examples, the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme was completed within the stipulated time of one year and without any extensions to the budget. Therefore there was not a additional burden (enhancement / revised) of even a single rupee on the government. The credit of this achievement goes to the efforts of Megha Engineering &Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) with the support of AP state government.

In a dire situation where not a single irrigation project was completed on time, MeghaEngineering & Infrastructures Limited achieved a rare distinction of completing the Pattiseema Project within the stipulated time and budget.

This is the first of its kind of project in not only the Sub-Continent, but entire globe. And the pump house is also the largest (with 24 pumping units) in the Asian region. Though the project constitutescritical civil works where in the foundation levels are far below mean sea level, MEIL has completed these works with local technological expertise.

In record time first pump set is commenced on 18-09-2015. Now all 24 pumpsets have been tested successfully and ready for pumping as on 20th March. Simulteniously government and MEIL taken up the works with high standards and did not compramise in quality aspect at any level. The pumps were supplied by Kirloskar and WPIL, motors were supplied by BHEL and Shanghai Electric, both are very high standard companies in world ratings.

From a technological perspective, Pattiseema project has entered history books as the largest project executed in Asia, and in the irrigation sector it is the first such project completed in India.

Construction of 220KV double circuit transmission lines for a length of 30km.

Construction of 220/11KV substation with 3 No. of 60MVA transformers.

Construction of delivery cistern at CH 1.500 km of Polavaram Irrigation Project Right Main Cannel.

Commissioning of motors:

In record time of 161 days the first pump set commissioned and water delivered in to right main canal on 18.09.2015.

Another four pump sets are commissioned and successfully run (Total 5 motors) up to 8th Dec ‘2015 to lift water in to RMC to cater the needs of Krishna & Guntur Districts.

The scheme with 24 motors completed by 20th March-16.

Every year about 2500 TMC of Godavari Water is wasted into sea unutilized.

In accordance with Section 7(a) of Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award Polavaram IrrigationProject can divert 80 TMC of River Godavari water into River Krishna. The Polavaram Irrigation Project is designed in accordance with GWDT award and already has obtained all the requisite clearances from various Ministries of Government of India.

As the Polavaram Irrigation Project Head works will take about 4 years from now for completion and the construction of Main canals are at their final stage of completion, it creates an opportunity to utilize the flood water. In order to utilize the flood water which is going waste into sea and to achieve early benefits of Polavaram irrigation project duly protecting existing utilization including Godavari Delta system, this Pattisam lift scheme is envisaged. Hence the Pattisam Lift scheme became the part of the Polavaram Irrigation Project to make use of the Right Main canal System and to convert huge investment made on Canal into fructuous expenditure to reap early benefits and thus is a continuation of execution of Polavaram Irrigation Project

This arrangement of Diversion to river Krishna is now possible only during the Flood Period. After the completion of Polavaram Irrigation Project the necessity to lift the Water from River Godavari through Pattisam Lift scheme is not necessary as the water from Polavaram Irrigation Project Head Works will flow under gravity.

As a part of Pattisam Lift Scheme, it is proposed to lift water from Akhanda Godavari Right Bank, on downstream side of Polavaram dam site, near Pattisam village and to drop in to Polavaram Right Main canal (at KM 1.50). A pump house with Diaphragm Wall is proposed to be constructed by drawing 240cumecs (8500cusecs) of water from river Godavari during flood days duly utilizing the infrastructure of RMC.

According to Bachawath tribunal Judgment and inter-state agreement between Maharashtra, Madhyapradesh and Andhra Pradesh 80 TMC water can be directed to Krishna river from Godavari.

For this purpose, Polavaram project is to be constructed at + 150 FRL and it is useful to 960 MW power generation and crop saving of 11 lakh hectors second crop in Godavari delta, water diversion to Krishna Delta are the main scope for Polavaram project. In 2004 November the then government has taken up Polavaram reservoir and right and left canals. Right canal taken up equal to flood flow canal to cater the needs of Krishna delta when lean inflows in Krishna river. But now Polavaram right and left canals works nearing completion except few bottle necks and reservoir work is going slowly.

Basic Information of Pattiseema

Source of intake: From River Godavari on AGRB near Pattisam (V).

Minimum water level: The minimum water level at sump well / fore bay shall be +12.50.

Delivery level: The delivery level at the centre of pipe at Delivery Cistern shall be +42.5 m and to drop into Indira Sagar Right Main Canal at about KM 2.500

Design, Manufacture, Supply, Erection and Commissioning of Motors and Pumps to lift 240 cumecs with each pump having minimum discharge of 8 Cumecs.

Design and construction of suitable number of pump houses of required size withProtection arrangements to lift 240 cumecs of water.

Objective:

The objective of the scheme is to lift 240 cumecs of water from River Godavari near Pattisam (V) from minimum water level of + 12.50 to +42.5 m in to sump well / fore bay and to delivery in to SPRMC canal at about Km.2.500 in single stage with necessary pump houses with protection arrangements, construction EM & HM component etc., complete.

Scope of work:
Investigation, design and execution for Drawal of 240 cumecs of water from River Godavari near Pattisam (V) by means of lift from minimum water level (at sump/fore bay) of +12.50 to drop in to Indira Sagar Polavaram Project Right Main Canal.